No time frame to have Christchurch bus exchange back up and running
By reporter Poppy Clark:
Christchurch’s intercity bus exchange is closed for a second day, and Environment Canterbury says it has “no time frame” for when it will be back up and running.
On Monday morning passengers were advised to get up earlier to catch their bus in time for the start of the working week.
Buses were using the Manchester St Super Stop as a temporary interchange location after technical difficulties caused the bus exchange in town to close.
With different routes having to be taken and times not being displayed, Watford said the Manchester St Super Stop was like waiting for a connecting flight at the airport, bus rider Kayleigh Watford said.
“If you miss your first one it means your second one is messed up."
Regular commuter Mina Morgan was confused and frustrated by the Manchester St Super Stop.
“Everybody is rushing, everybody is running, everybody is trying to get to work and on time without getting late.”
Morgan said he wanted more structure and organisation if the closure of the interchange was going to continue.
On its Facebook page, Metro Canterbury said the building had been “impacted by a technology outage”.
Environment Canterbury public transport general manager Stewart Gibbon said some scheduled maintenance by their supplier had caused an unexpected outage which affected the interchange.
“The technology system that manages bay allocation and bay door operations at the interchange is not functioning, meaning we are currently unable to operate the interchange effectively and safely,” he said.
“Our normal contingency for interchange unavailability has been put in place, meaning the Manchester St super stops are the designated central city bus stop until this issue is resolved. Route 17 customers should use the route’s stops on Hereford St.”
When asked when the bus exchange would reopen, regional council Environment Canterbury refused to be interviewed and instead said the Metro Canterbury Facebook page would be updated as news came to hand.
It said there was no time frame for the bus exchange to be operating again as normal.
City councillor for Central Ward Jake McLellan said the closure was “frustrating and disappointing”.
Poll: Should the Christchurch Southern Motorway have a 110kph speed limit?
The government wants to increase the speed limit on Christchurch’s Southern Motorway to Rolleston to 110kph.
The proposed change would apply from the Curletts Rd interchange in Addington to the Weedons Rd interchange in Rolleston.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said it would mean faster journey times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Christchurch.
“Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. This proposal supports that outcome by reducing travel times and increasing efficiency on this key South Island freight route.”
“We know how critical this connection is for motorists and freight operators, and we’re committed to ensuring that this state highway enables people to get to where they want to go, quickly and safely.”
Brown said the Southern Motorway was built to a high safety standard, with features “that greatly reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash”, including a flexible median barrier, and a smooth alignment which offers good visibility for drivers.
In July, Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton wrote to the Ministry of Transport, Brown and Act Party leader David Seymour suggesting the speed limit be increased to 120kph.
“Whether it is for general traffic, direct public transport services, or moving freight ... increasing the speed ... will assist in improving efficiency and connectivity while still being safe,” he wrote.
“This is reflected in generally higher average speeds above 100kph we already observe along the motorway.”
Consultation on the increased speed limit begins on September 3 and closes on October 1.
Read more local news at thepress.co.nz |thepress.co.nz|.
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46.1% Yes
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51.2% No
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2.7% I'm not sure/something else (tell us in the comments)
Poll: Do you mind when neighbours leave freebies on the street?
Some spare wood, used furniture or children's toys - do you mind when your neighbours leave goods on the street for others to make use of?
Share your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
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83.1% It's fine!
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15.1% It annoys me!
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
Latest scam - nationwide
Police are warning people to be on alert for the latest round of email scams referencing Police and other justice agencies.
The email claims authorities have done a search of the email recipient’s computer and located explicit illegal material.
The recipient is directed to reply within 72 hours, or a warrant will be issued for their arrest. This email is a scam and anyone who receives it should not reply under any circumstances.
Although some versions of the email do not specifically reference money, other similar scams involve the recipient being issued a ‘fine’ when they respond.
While the nature and specific details of scams often varies, it’s important to note that Police and other government agencies will never contact you out of the blue and ask for your password, credit card or bank details.
Police have received several reports of this scam and enquires are underway.
Anyone who received this email can either forward the spam email to the Department of Internal Affairs directly at complaint@spam.govt.nz or use their online reporting portal: www.reportspam.co.nz...
Police recommend taking a cautious approach to unsolicited emails. Trust your gut instinct - if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Information on other scams currently operating can be found on the Consumer Protection NZ website: www.consumerprotection.govt.nz...
Consumer Protection NZ, along with Netsafe, also provides helpful advice about keeping safe online.
Anyone who has received this email can report it to police online via www.police.govt.nz.... Please reference file number 240830/5842.
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